Gordon J Pownall
3rd-August-2004, 09:33 AM
Why is that annoying ? You are entitled to representation despite your voting record. I would say abstaining is just as valid a part of the democratic process (unless its illegal in your country e.g. Australia ? :) )
If they would have voted for a minority party then it could consider it a pointless vote - so why bother. Of course if everyone who thought that refused to vote, the party in question is missing out but that its the choice of the individual and one vote will only ever make a difference if theres one vote in it :) (despite some arguments :) your lack of vote will not implicilty affect anyone elses). Its only with the power of groups of people ganging up, or paying politicians money (lobbying i beleive its called :) ) that change is made.
I was distinguishing (not very clearly) between people who just can't be bothered to vote and then winge on about the state of the country or whatever etc etc . These people do not take the opportunity to make their voice heard through the democratic process through apathy.
They are different to those individuals who by conscious decision, choose to abstain with the justification that it is decision made to influence or achieve a desired outcome.
The difference between couch potato or armchair critic who just can't be be bothered and an individual who has consciously abstained as an action. :whistle:
If they would have voted for a minority party then it could consider it a pointless vote - so why bother. Of course if everyone who thought that refused to vote, the party in question is missing out but that its the choice of the individual and one vote will only ever make a difference if theres one vote in it :) (despite some arguments :) your lack of vote will not implicilty affect anyone elses). Its only with the power of groups of people ganging up, or paying politicians money (lobbying i beleive its called :) ) that change is made.
I was distinguishing (not very clearly) between people who just can't be bothered to vote and then winge on about the state of the country or whatever etc etc . These people do not take the opportunity to make their voice heard through the democratic process through apathy.
They are different to those individuals who by conscious decision, choose to abstain with the justification that it is decision made to influence or achieve a desired outcome.
The difference between couch potato or armchair critic who just can't be be bothered and an individual who has consciously abstained as an action. :whistle: